Bubble Watch: WPRA Top 15 Updates

As the regular season of the Women’s Professional Rodeo Association barrel racing action winds down, the race to make it into the top 15 in the WPRA world standings is heating up. The season concludes on September 30, and until then we’re breaking down who’s on the bubble and fighting for a slot in the coveted field that will head to the National Finals Rodeo.

Halyn Lide Wins Puyallup Rodeo; Moves to No. 16

As the final stretch of the WPRA pro rodeo season began several barrel racers capitalized on high-paying rodeos of the season. Halyn Lide made the biggest move in the WPRA standings, from being outside of the top 20 to moving into a “Bubble Watch” position at No. 16. Lide and her 2024 NFR qualifying mount Jettin Ta Heaven took home the Puyallup (Washington) Rodeo championship picking up more than $16,900. As of September 9, Lide sits within reach of a top 15 finish with only a little more than $5,000 separating her and No. 15 Wenda Johnson.

Tayla Moeykens Gets Standings Cushion with Pendleton Round-Up Win

(SEPTEMBER 15, 2025 — PENDLETON, OREGON) — The Pendleton Round-Up is both a fan and contestant favorite due to its unique setup and long history. It’s also been a regular stop for those on the “bubble” of the world standings en route to NFR qualifications. Paying out a total of $766,381 it offered much needed paychecks to many on the trail to the NFR. Tayla Moeykens, of Three Forks, Montana, took advantage of the Pendleton, Oregon rodeo and added $16,373 cushion to her No. 11 WPRA world standings position.

As of September 11, Moeykens sat in the No. 11 position in the WPRA world standings with $116,814.87. The Pendleton win gives her $134,845 and moves her to the No. 10 position. Prior to Pendleton, Andrea Busby sat at No. 10 with $127,166 and Hayle Gibson-Stillwell sat at No. 9 with $132,390.

Read more about Moeykens’s Pendleton Round-Up win here.

Bubble Positions Change as of September 16

Prior to Pendleton, Wenda Johnson gave herself some breathing room having moved from No. 15 to sit in the No. 13 position in the world standings with $109,078. Johnson did pick up $5,382 in Pendleton. As of September 16, Johnson sits in the No. 12 position with $117,601.

Tricia Aldridge, of Sanger, Texas also gave herself some breathing room moving from No. 15 to No. 13 as of September 16. Aldridge, who as of September 11, was sitting in the No. 15 position with $105,552 didn’t make the trek to Pendleton, but did take advantage of payouts elsewhere. She picked up $5,820 from winning the New Mexico State Fair and Rodeo, September 10-14 in Albuquerque. Plus, $3,897 for winning the West Texas Fair and Rodeo September 5-13 in Abilene. Unofficially, that gives Aldridge $115,270.

North Dakota Roughrider Cup

(SEPTEMBER 22, 2025 — MANDAN, NORTH DAKOTA) — The North Dakota Roughrider Cup offered up a lucrative $500,000 total payoff from September 19-21. Three barrel racers earned much needed paychecks as they battle on the bubble for an NFR qualification.

Austyn Tobey, who’s sitting 42nd in the WPRA world standings walked away from Mandan with the barrel racing title and $12,938 from an 18.06-second run. Though the win wasn’t impactful for an NFR qualification it was a meaningful paycheck for Tobey. Those battling on the bubble for an NFR qualification however, were in the hot seat to pick up a paycheck – especially through the weather obstacles the North Dakota rodeo threw their way.

Katelyn Scott, who prior to Mandan sat in the No. 16 position in the world standings picked up $10,027 tying for second place from a time of 18.18 with Lisa Lockhart. That paycheck unofficially moves Scott from $107,246 to $117,273. As of September 23 Scott had moved from No. 15 to No. 13 in the WPRA world standings much in part to her success in Mandan.

Wenda Johnson was holding onto the No. 12 position prior to the rodeo and picked up a fifth place paycheck worth $6,469 to cushion her standings position.

Halyn Lide, who prior to the rodeo was in the No. 17 position picked up the fourth place paycheck from a 18.20, worth $7,763. That unofficially moves Lide from $104,994 in world standings earnings to $112,757, and while it hasn’t moved her positions in the standings it does give her a boost as the season enters its final stretch.

Julie Plourde was sitting No. 14 prior to the rodeo and picked up ninth place and $2,264. She unofficially moves from $111,983 to $117,730 and holds onto the No. 14 position.

McKenna Coronado was sitting No. 15 prior to Mandan with $111,531. She earned the 11th place paycheck and $1,671, unofficially giving her $113,202. She slipped into the No. 16 position, however with the final weekend of the season ahead she’ll still be within striking distance of an NFR qualification if the odds fall in her favor.

Cinch Playoffs Governor’s Cup Offers $1 Million

(SEPTEMBER 15, 2025 — SOUIX FALLS, SOUTH DAKOTA) — From September 26-28, 108 professional rodeo athletes will descend on the Denny Sanford Premier Center for the 2025 Governor’s Cup, the culminating event of the Cinch Playoffs, boasting $1 million in prize money.

All eyes in the rodeo industry will be on this event as this will be the final full weekend of the 2025 rodeo season and there will be a mix of contestants looking to make their way into the top 15 to earn a spot in Las Vegas at the National Finals Rodeo in December, while others will be looking to add more money on their quest for a world title. 

There will be a total of 12 contestants in each discipline – bareback riding, steer wrestling, team roping, saddle bronc riding, tie-down roping, breakaway roping, barrel racing and bull riding. The field will be comprised of the top four competitors in each event from the recently concluded CINCH Playoffs in Puyallup, Washington, and the leading eight athletes in each event from the Playoffs Series Standings. All 12 will compete in two rounds (September 26 and 27) with the top eight scores/times in the average advancing to a clean-slate semifinal round. The top four will then advance to the sudden death final round with the winner taking home $32,000. 

All action from the richest South Dakota rodeo will be televised on The Cowboy Channel.

Find out who the Governor’s Cup Barrel Racing Qualifiers are here.

Governor’s Cup Bubble Moves: The Race for a Top 15 Finish

SIOUX FALLS, SOUTH DAKOTA (September 27, 2025) – The Cinch Playoffs Series Championships at the Governor’s Cup in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, has since 2023 become a pivotal rodeo for the race for the National Finals Rodeo. Especially for those on the “bubble” of a WPRA top 15 finish the $1.4 million rodeo has the potential to shake up the world standings — even for those looking to add to their earnings in the hunt for a world title.

So far at the 2025 event, a barrel racer on the bubble has not picked up a paycheck. This could all change in the Semifinals with Tricia Aldridge and Halyn Lide each sitting in a bubble position and each having qualified for a spot in the semifinals.

Aldridge currently sits in the No. 15 position with $117,182.37, and Lide in No. 17 with $112,614.31. Only $4,568 separating the two. The Semifinals does not pay to the first through fourth places, however they earn an advancement to the Finals, where the first-place paycheck is $32,000.

Check out the 2025 Governor’s Cup total payout breakdown here.

Find all the 2025 Governor’s Cup Barrel Racing Results here.

Race to the Finish

While all eyes are on the Cinch Playoffs Governor’s Cup in Sioux Falls, those not entered are making their final bids in hopes of taking advantage of the final rodeos of the season in their hunt for a Top 15 finish.

Katelyn Scott, who as of September 23 sat in the No. 13 position made the most out of her last weekend of rodeo. She took home the championship at the Sheriff’s PRCA Rodeo in San Bernardino, California, with a 14.92, worth $3,952, as well as picking up paychecks at several other high-paying rodeos over the last weekend. Scott unofficially sits in the No. 15 position with $129,011.

Those contestants entered at the Governor’s Cup put it all on the line, and when the dust settled it was Halyn Lide who made dreams come true in the last performance of the season. Prior to the Governor’s Cup she sat at No. 17 with $112,614. She and her 2024 NFR qualifying mount Jettin Ta Heaven, stayed strong in Sioux Falls and continued advancing. They didn’t pick up any paychecks in the rounds, but ultimately left as the Governor’s Cup championship earning $32,000 bringing their total world standings to $144,614, and unofficially moving into the No. 9 position.

Read about Lide’s Governor’s Cup championship here.

2025 WPRA Barrel Racing World Standings:

Disclaimer: results are unofficial and may change as the WPRA makes their official audits at the end of the season.

UNOFFICIAL STANDINGS as of September 29, 2025

visit wpra.com for full results

1. Kassie Mowry | $203,445 
2. Brittany Pozzi Tonozzi | $194,716 
3. Emily Beisel | $189,004 
4. Hailey Kinsel | $186,317
5. Megan McLeod-Sprague | $174,974 
6. Lisa Lockhart | $169,466 
7. Carlee Otero | $168,493
8. Anita Ellis | $146,991 
9. Halyn Lide | $144,614
10. Tayla Moeykens | $142,164
11. Tricia Aldridge | $141,182
12. Hayle Gibson-Stillwell | $140,040 
13. Wenda Johnson | $138,427
14. Andrea Busby | $131,698 
15. Katelyn Scott | $129,011
16. Julie Plourde | $117,736 
17. McKenna Coronado | $113,118 
18. Paige Jones | $103,882 
19. Summer Kosel | $99,665 
20. Katie Jo Halbert | $99,275 

As of September 23, 2025

1. Kassie Mowry | Dublin, Texas | $203,322.95 | 28 rodeos attended
2. Brittany Pozzi Tonozzi | Lampasas, Texas | $194,707.20 | 71
3. Emily Beisel | Weatherford, Oklahoma | $182,018.56 |68
4. Hailey Kinsel | Cotulla, Texas | $172,841.76 | 54
5. Lisa Lockhart | Oelrichs, South Dakota | $159,511.42 | 65
6. Carlee Otero | Perrin, Texas | 151,560.55 | 86
7. Anita Ellis | Blackfoot, Idaho | $145,882.63 | 43
8. Megan McLeod-Sprague | Marsing, Idaho | $138,090.77 | 61
9. Hayle Gibson-Stillwell | Redcrest, California | $136,627.36| 80
10. Tayla Moeykens | Three Forks, Montana | $134,845.47| 85
11. Andrea Busby | Millsap, Texas | $131,123.85 | 74
12. Wenda Johnson | Pawhuska, Oklahoma | $128,472.47 | 74
13. Katelyn Scott | Odessa, Texas | $120,227.45 | 88
14. Julie Plourde | Krum, Texas | $117,729.60 | 89
15. Tricia Aldridge | Sanger, Texas | $115,269.57 | 84
16. McKenna Coronado | Kanarraville, Utah | $113,118.72 | 89
17. Halyn Lide | China Spring, Texas | $112,614.31 | 72
18. Paige Jones | Wayne, Oklahoma | $103,882.31 | 65
19. Summer Kosel | Glenham, South Dakota | $99,663.48 | 55
20. Katie Jo Halbert | Port Lavaca, Texas | $98,648.92| 79

As of September 16, 2025

1. Kassie Mowry | Dublin, Texas | $203,322.95 | 28 rodeos attended
2. Brittany Pozzi Tonozzi | Lampasas, Texas | $192,802.01 | 69
3. Emily Beisel | Weatherford, Oklahoma | $181,104.89 |63
4. Hailey Kinsel | Cotulla, Texas | $172,841.76 | 53
5. Carlee Otero | Perrin, Texas | 151,560.55 | 82
6. Lisa Lockhart | Oelrichs, South Dakota | $149,667.93 | 63
7. Anita Ellis | Blackfoot, Idaho | $145,882.63 | 43
8. Megan McLeod-Sprague | Marsing, Idaho | $138,090.77 | 60
9. Hayle Gibson-Stillwell | Redcrest, California | $135,510.46| 77
10. Tayla Moeykens | Three Forks, Montana | $134,845.47| 84
11. Andrea Busby | Millsap, Texas | $127,948.53 | 72
12. Wenda Johnson | Pawhuska, Oklahoma | $117,601.18 | 71
13. Tricia Aldridge | Sanger, Texas | $115,269.57 | 82
14. Julie Plourde | Krum, Texas | $111,982.83 | 84
15. McKenna Coronado | Kanarraville, Utah | $111,531.06 | 88
16. Katelyn Scott | Odessa, Texas | $107,246.34 | 84
17. Halyn Lide | China Spring, Texas | $104,993.54 | 70
18. Paige Jones | Wayne, Oklahoma | $103,882.31 | 63
19. Summer Kosel | Glenham, South Dakota | $99,319.82 | 53
20. Chloe Gray | Yatesville, Georgia | $94,346.31| 87

As of September 11, 2025

1. Kassie Mowry | Dublin, Texas | $202,348.64 | 27 rodeos attended
2. Brittany Pozzi Tonozzi | Lampasas, Texas | $192,802.01 | 69
3. Emily Beisel | Weatherford, Oklahoma | $181,104.89 |63
4. Hailey Kinsel | Cotulla, Texas | $172,841.76 | 53
5. Carlee Otero | Perrin, Texas | 146,781.27 | 79
6. Anita Ellis | Blackfoot, Idaho | $145,882.63 | 42
7. Megan McLeod-Sprague | Marsing, Idaho | $138,090.77 | 58
8. Lisa Lockhart | Oelrichs, South Dakota | $134,582.86 | 61
9. Hayle Gibson-Stillwell | Redcrest, California | $132,389.91 | 75
10. Andrea Busby | Millsap, Texas | $127,165.77 | 69
11. Tayla Moeykens | Three Forks, Montana | $116,814.87 | 80
12. Julie Plourde | Krum, Texas | $111,982.83 | 82
13. Wenda Johnson | Pawhuska, Oklahoma | $109,077.55 | 67
14. McKenna Coronado | Kanarraville, Utah | $108,400.02 | 85
15. Tricia Aldridge | Sanger, Texas | $105,551.85 | 79
16. Halyn Lide | China Spring, Texas | $101,210.23 | 68
17. Summer Kosel | Glenham, South Dakota | $97,249.09 | 51
18. Katelyn Scott | Odessa, Texas | $97,210.86 | 80
19. Paige Jones | Wayne, Oklahoma | $96,279.78 | 60
20. Chloe Gray | Yatesville, Georgia | $92,397.69| 84

As of September 8, 2025

1. Kassie Mowry | Dublin, Texas | $202,348.64 | 26 rodeos attended
2. Brittany Pozzi Tonozzi | Lampasas, Texas | $192,802.01 | 69
3. Emily Beisel | Weatherford, Oklahoma | $181,104.89 |63
4. Hailey Kinsel | Cotulla, Texas | $172,841.76 | 53
5. Carlee Otero | Perrin, Texas | 146,781.27 | 78
6. Anita Ellis | Blackfoot, Idaho | $145,882.63 | 42
7. Megan McLeod-Sprague | Marsing, Idaho | $138,090.77 | 58
8. Lisa Lockhart | Oelrichs, South Dakota | $134,582.86 | 61
9. Hayle Gibson-Stillwell | Redcrest, California | $132,389.91 | 74
10. Andrea Busby | Millsap, Texas | $127,165.77 | 69
11. Tayla Moeykens | Three Forks, Montana | $116,814.87 | 80
12. Julie Plourde | Krum, Texas | $111,449.01 | 80
13. McKenna Coronado | Kanarraville, Utah | $108,400.02 | 85
14. Tricia Aldridge | Sanger, Texas | $105,551.85 | 77
15. Wenda Johnson | Pawhuska, Oklahoma | $105,274.39 | 64
16. Halyn Lide | China Spring, Texas | $100,128.58 | 67
17. Summer Kosel | Glenham, South Dakota | $97,249.09 | 51
18. Katelyn Scott | Odessa, Texas | $96,666.04 | 79
19. Paige Jones | Wayne, Oklahoma | $95,673.11 | 57
20. Katie Jo Halbert | Port Lavaca, Texas | $92,222.43 | 75

As of August 26, 2025

Disclaimer: results are unofficial and may change as the WPRA makes their official audits at the end of the season.

1. Kassie Mowry | Dublin, Texas | $202,348.64 | 26 rodeos attended
2. Brittany Pozzi Tonozzi | Lampasas, Texas | $187,888.70 | 64
3. Hailey Kinsel | Cotulla, Texas | $172,841.76 | 48
4. Emily Beisel | Weatherford, Oklahoma | $161,044.19 |58
5. Carlee Otero | Perrin, Texas | 144,268.10 | 73
6. Megan McLeod-Sprague | Marsing, Idaho | $137,787.91 | 54
7. Anita Ellis | Blackfoot, Idaho | $137,795.71 | 38
8. Andrea Busby | Millsap, Texas | $121,716.70 | 64
9. Hayle Gibson-Stillwell | Redcrest, California | $119,128.22 | 69
10. Lisa Lockhart | Oelrichs, South Dakota | $117,286.56 | 56
11. Julie Plourde | Krum, Texas | $109,803.26 | 74
12. Tayla Moeykens | Three Forks, Montana | $109,184.12 | 73
13. McKenna Coronado | Kanarraville, Utah | $103,749.97 | 79
14. Tricia Aldridge | Sanger, Texas | $101,535.99 | 70
15. Wenda Johnson | Pawhuska, Oklahoma | $100,549.33 | 57
16. Leslie Smalygo | Skiatook, Oklahoma | $86,727.29 | 54
17. Katelyn Scott | Odessa, Texas | $85,707.50 | 74
18. Summer Kosel | Glenham, South Dakota | $85,689.50 | 46
19. Paige Jones | Wayne, Oklahoma | $85,394.64 | 53
20. Chloe Gray | Yatesville, Georgia | $84,808.60 | 77